Receipt of The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays, 2023

2023.11.04

Mitsuo Okamoto, former president of our company and a traditional craftsman of Nishijin hand weaving, was awarded The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays, at the Autumn Conferment of Decoration on November 3, 2023 (national holiday).
All of our employees are very happy to see that he is the second person to receive this award. (The first was Tadao Okamoto, who received the award in 2011.)

We are deeply grateful for the support and kindness of everyone who loves Nishijin textiles.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude.

Encouraged by this award, we will continue to evolve and carry on the traditional gold brocade textiles of Okamoto Orimono Co., Ltd.
We look forward to your continued support and encouragement.

Background

Mitsuo Okamoto has been involved in Nishijin textiles for 58 years since 1965.
Born and raised in the family handicraft business, he joined the company after helping the family business. He has made significant contributions to the company by learning handlooms, mastering power looms, and producing new types of gold brocade, and was a key figure in the company’s transformation into a joint-stock corporation in 1986.
His continuous efforts to make Nishijin textiles more beautiful are the reason for this award.

Comments on the award

Thank you very much for this prestigious award. I am humbled by this honor.

I was born into a family that weaves Nishijin brocade and grew up listening to the sound of the loom. Weaving Nishijin brocade has become my vocation. I am sure that my parents and older sister, who taught me how to do this work, are pleased to know that I have been honored for doing what I take for granted day in and day out.

I am truly grateful to my wife and family who have supported and helped me in my work over the years, my sisters and brothers who have worked with me, and all of my clients and subcontractors. Although I am still a young man, I will never forget this feeling and will continue to devote myself to my work, returning to my original intention.

＜conferring of decorations＞

Conferring of decorations is awarded to those who have rendered distinguished service to the nation or to the public.
There are six types: Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, Grand Cordon of the Paulownia Flower, Order of the Rising Sun, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Order of Culture, and Order of the Precious Crown.
The Spring Conferment of Decoration is held twice a year, on April 29 and the Autumn Conferment of Decoration on November 3. Recipients are presented with the decoration by the competent minister (or prefectural governor in some cases), and after the presentation ceremony, they wear the decoration and receive an audience with His Majesty the Emperor at the Imperial Palace accompanied by their spouses.

＜What is The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays＞

The Order of the Sacred Treasure was established in 1888, and is an order commonly awarded to men and women for their long years of service and achievements in public service and other fields.
The design of the medal consists of 16 large and small beads arranged around a treasured mirror, which was an ancient treasure, with four or eight rays of light, and a knob* (between the chapter and the ribbon) with a paulownia flower leaf.

Postscript 11/13/2023

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Autumn Medal of Honor was awarded on November 9, 2023, and we were honored to have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor at the Imperial Palace.

Mr. and Mrs. Mitsuo Okamoto attended the presentation ceremony held at Hotel New Otani’s Fuyo-no-Ma.